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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report HDC18-001 DATE: January 8, 2018 APPLICANT: Stephen McAteer, Parks and Recreation ADDRESS: 503 E 9th Street COA REQUEST: Storm Windows PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The subject property is located at 503 East Ninth Street. The property’s legal description is “That part of the northwest quarter of Township 1 North Range 12 west Section 11 lying east of the Quapaw Line and west of McAlmont Street & north of E 13th Street and that part of the southwest quarter of Township 1 North Range 12 west Section 2 lying east of the Quapaw Line and west of McAlmont Street & south of E 9th ST located in the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas." The Arsenal building was built in the 1840’s and is a national landmark, the highest recognition of a historic building. The structure is a contributing structure in the district. The proposal is to add exterior Storm Windows. PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THIS SITE: On June 13, 2017, a COC was approved and issued to MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History for porch renovations. On August 19, 2104, a COC was approved and issued to MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History for a bike rack not visible from the street. On May 7, 2014, a COC was approved and issued to MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History for a Camden Expedition Commemorative Marker not visible from the street. On September 10, 2014, a COA was approved and issued to Parks and Recreation for fencing around playground. On April 5, 2013, a COA was approved and issued to Parks and Recreation for a signage and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 723 West Markham Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1334 Phone: (501) 371-4790 Fax:(501) 399-3435 www.littlerock.gov STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. One. Location of Project Page 2 of 16 On April 4, 2013 a COC was issues to the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History for installation of a flagpole. Existing North elevation Contributing and Non-contributing map PROPOSAL AND WRITTEN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION BASED OFF OF INTENT AND GUIDELINES: On page 14 of the Guidelines, it states: Screen and Storm Windows: Interior storm windows are encouraged and preferred. Interior storm windows do not require a COA nor the associated costs of the COA. Exterior screen and storm windows should be wood or baked-on enamel or anodized aluminum in a color to match the window sash paint color and fit within the window frames, not overlap the frames. Screens should be full-view. Storm windows may also be mounted on the inside of windows. Half screen and screen or storm windows smaller than original window are not recommended. The proposal is to install “Historically Approved, Allied One Lite exterior storm windows”. They are to be Allied One Lite, Type A and Type C design, as manufactured by Allied Window of Cincinnati, OH and shall be in Standard White color. All glass will be clear annealed with transoms, sidelights and other locations as required by building codes to be tempered glass. These storm windows will be installed on all windows except for the two windows in the basement which are covered by a Certificate of Compliance COC for maintenance items. The doors leading to the porches will have storm windows installed on the glass portions of the door and the sidelights will have separate storms. Allied storm window at Dumbarton Oaks, Washington DC Page 3 of 16 The Allied windows proposed here are the least obtrusive storm windows available. From the specifications, they appear to be 3/8” thick and one inch wide. The Old State House Museum, also a National Historic Landmark building has the Allied storm windows in stalled on it. The City will be applying for a HPRG grant from AHPP to assist in some of the cost of these windows. Currently, the Museum has a project underway to replace the heat and air systems and to repair the porches, all of which were covered in a Certificate of Compliance COC in 2017. As a part of the renovations to the Museum, the exterior porches and windows will be painted. This would be a perfect time to protect the newly painted and glazed windows. In the City ordinance Section 23-120, it states the eleven factors on which a rehabilitation project is to be judged. They are Siting, Height, Proportion, Rhythm, Roof area, Entrance area, Wall areas, Detailing, Facade, Scale, and Massing. When reviewing the definitions in the ordinance, it does not appear that the storm windows will affect any of these factors. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS AND REACTION: At the time of distribution, there were three letters of support for the storm windows: AHPP (which holds a conservation easement on the building) Quapaw Quarter Association, and Preserve Arkansas, the local and state-wide preservation advocates, respectively. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. Obtaining a building permit. COMMISSION ACTION: January 8, 2018 Lauren Frederick recused herself on this item and left the meeting at 6:00 pm. Brian Minyard made a presentation of the item. Stephan McAteer, Director of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History since 2001, values the stewardship and occupancy of that building. They are currently working on a 1.5 million dollar renovation project. The City determined with the new HVAC being installed, it would be an excellent time to install storm windows to provide energy efficiency and protect new paint job and glazing on widows. He stated they received state and federal levels of approval for the installation of the storm windows in addition to a letter of support from the QQA. Richard Butler, 417 E 10th street, spoke in support to of the project. It is one of the oldest and most prominent historic building in the district. Commissioner Dale Pekar stated it was a very important landmark structure. He has looked at other structures in the city and buildings look more historic without the storm windows added. On the three covered porches, the windows are already protected from the elements. He thought about half of the windows were under porches and considered recommending storms on part but not all of the windows. He can readily tell the difference and is opposed to storm windows. Vice Chair Russell asked the benefits of interior storm windows instead of exterior. Mr. McAteer stated that the exterior ones would protect the wood windows that will have been recently re - glazed and painted. Vice Chair Russell stated that they would need to be repainted eventually even with exterior storms installed. He also stated that the interior and exterior st orm windows Page 4 of 16 would provide that same energy efficiency. Mr. McAteer responded that the Old State House has the same storm windows and they are not visible from the street. You have to look closely to see that the storm windows are there. Chair Ted Holder said that he has this model of storm windows on his house. The Allied Company is known as the “historic storm window”. They are 3/8 inch thick, very flat and fit extremely well. They will also match your paint color. Mr. McAteer noted that he has been in communication with the National Park Service and they are in support of these windows. Commissioner Amber Jones stated that the National Park Service regularly approves storm windows and many with lesser quality than these windows. She said she appreciated that Stephan McAteer is jumping through extra hoops. Commissioner Robert Hodge asked how easy it was to get rid of the windows in the future. Mr. McAteer said it was completely reversible with minimal damage to the wood. Vice Chair Russell asked if they were to have a muntin. Mr. McAteer said that some would. They would be at the meeting rail of the existing double hung windows. The doors that lead to the porches would not have muntins as well as no muntin on the sidelights. Vice Chair Russell asked if they would look better with no muntins anywhere. Chair Holder said that you would not notice the meeting rail on the storm since it matches the original window. Chair Holder asked if there were to be screens. Mr. McAteer stated no. Commissioner Dick Kelley made a motion to approve as submitted with Commissioner Jones seconding. The motion passed with 4 ayes, 2 noes (Russell and Pekar) and 1 absent (Frederick). Page 5 of 16 Application Page 6 of 16 Cover Letter Page 7 of 16 Detail of jambs (see details 1,2 and 3) Page 8 of 16 Specifications for windows page One Page 9 of 16 Specifications for windows page Two Page 10 of 16 Sec. 23-120. - General criteria. In making its determination, the commission shall consider without being limited to the following criteria: (a) Proposed repairs, alterations, new construction, moving or demolition in the historic district shall respect and relate to the special character of the district. Changes shall be evaluated on basis of: (1) The purpose of this division. (2) The architectural or historic value or significance of a building and its relationship to the surrounding area. (3) The general compatibility of proposed changes. (4) Any other factor, including visual and aesthetic considered pertinent. (b) Repairs considered as part of a building's ordinary maintenance are those that do not change but simply upgrade a structure, including painting, replacing deteriorated porch flooring, stairs, siding or trim in the same material and texture, replacing screens, gutters or downspouts. These repairs shall not require a certificate of appropriateness. Improvements of this type are specifically identified in the guidelines adopted for the historic district commission. (c) The commission shall encourage proposed changes which reflect the original design of the structure, based on photographs, written description or other historical documentation, and be guided by the following preferences: (1) It is preferable to preserve by maintenance rather than to repair original features of the building. (2) It is preferable to repair rather than to reconstruct if possible. (3) It is preferable to restore by reconstruction of original features rather than to remove or remodel. (d) When evaluating the general compatibility of alterations to the exterior of any building in the historic district, the commission shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors within the building's area of influence: (1) Siting. (2) Height. (3) Proportion. (4) Rhythm. (5) Roof area. (6) Entrance area. (7) Wall areas. (8) Detailing. (9) Facade. (10) Scale. (11) Massing. City Ordinance excerpt Page 11 of 16 QQA Letter of Support Page 12 of 16 Letter of support from Preserve Arkansas Page 13 of 16 AHPP Letter of Support Page 14 of 16 Excerpt of Guidelines Page 15 of 16 Excerpt of Guidelines Page 16 of 16 Excerpt of Guidelines